Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council

"Meridian lives at the nexus of global partnerships between the public and private sector, the diplomatic community and leaders in media, education and advocacy from around the world. These connections form the foundation necessary for accelerated collaboration and consensus building among all stakeholders as we tackle today’s most pressing challenges and opportunities." - Ambassador Stuart W. Holliday, CEO, Meridian International Center

The Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council is a network of leaders and advisors worldwide who believe in employing the arts and culture as a tool of diplomacy and global engagement. Council members are committed to supporting the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy, which serves the U.S. government, the private sector, and the diplomatic community through creative programming, such as exhibitions, cultural exchanges, panel discussions, lectures, film screenings, and concerts.

By broadening the reach of our work worldwide and gaining strategic guidance and partnerships for our programs, council members elevate awareness of the role of arts and culture in diplomacy. Specific benefits are outlined below.

Contact For More Information

Terry K. Harvey, Vice President, Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy | (202) 939-5566 | tkharvey@meridian.org

Chair, Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy

Elizabeth Duggal

Chair @ Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy

Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council Members

Academics:

Faye Hobson, Program Director, Culture, Salzburg Global
Tessa Kaneene, Harvard University
Stacy Lieberman, President and CEO, Library Foundation of Los Angeles
Eva Meharry, Senior Analyst, Cultural Rescue Initiative, Smithsonian
Ambassador Cynthia Schneider, Professor, Georgetown University
Vicki Match Suna, EVP and Vice Dean, NYU

Artists:

Joel Bergner, Muralist and co-founder, Artolution
Teresita Fernandez, Visual Art
Krista Kim, NFT Artist
Nada Shabout, Visual Art
Noor Al Suwaidi, Visual Art
Fred Tomaselli, Visual Art

Culinary:

Lauren Bernstein, Founder and CEO, The Culinary Diplomacy Project

Cultural Leaders:

Danielle Baussan, Arts & Policy, Aspen Institute
Megan Beyer, Director, Art in Embassies
Carla Canales, Senior Advisor, NEA
Tamsin Dillon, Director, Art in Public
Aba Kwawu, President, TAA Public Relations
Miriam Magdieli, Director of Communications, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Jennifer Roberts, CEO, Design Miami

Cultural Preservation:

Laura Ballman, Founder, Capital Art Strategies
Tess Davis, Executive Director, The Antiquities Coalition
Mark Vlasic, Professor of Law, Georgetown University

Gallery Professionals:

Christina Ine-Kimba Boyle, Director of Online Sales, Pace Gallery
David Castillo, Owner, David Castillo Gallery
Brady Doty, Senior Director, David Zwirner Gallery
Bettina Korek, Director, Serpentine Gallery
Rachel Lehmann, Founder, Lehmann Maupin Gallery

Museum Leaders and Curators:

Caitlin Doherty, Director, Jacksonville MOCA
Concetta Duncan, Head of Communications & Marketing, National Portrait Gallery
Nora Halpern, Independent Curator
Greg Lambousy, Director, New Orleans Jazz Museum
Alex Moen, Chief Explorer Engagement Officer, National Geographic Society
Aviva Rosenthal, Director, Office of International relations, Smithsonian
Lisa Sasaki, Deputy Under Secretary for Special Projects, Smithsonian
Virginia Shore, Independent Curator
Ana Sokolof, Independent Curator
Damion Thomas, Curator, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian
Heidi Zuckerman, Director, Orange County Museum of Art

Performing Arts:

Alicia Adams, Vice President of International Programs, Kennedy Center
Luke Frazier, Founder and Maestro, American Pops Orchestra
Simon Godwin, Artistic Director, Shakespeare Theater Company
Edwaard Liang, Artistic Director, Washington Ballet
Deborah Rutter, Director, The Kennedy Center
Jean Yves Thibaudet, Pianist
Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director, Ballet Hispanico

Sports:

Danita Johnson, President of Business Operations, DC United

Current and Former U.S. Government Officials:

Fred Hochberg, Chair, Meridian Board of Trustees
Ambassador Capricia Marshall, Author and Former Chief of Protocol, White House
Ann Stock, Former Chair of Meridian Board of Trustees

By Invitation Only

Members of the Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council are leaders of major arts and cultural institutions or prominent cultural figures who work with the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy to:
Serve as Cultural Ambassadors of Meridian’s work and raise awareness of the importance and value of cultural diplomacy activities in the arts communities
Collaborate and build partnerships with cultural institutions and artists in the U.S. and abroad as it relates to the interest and availability of the member
Provide strategic guidance on programs and exhibitions, where appropriate
If available, participate in an annual meeting of the Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council in Washington, DC

For more information on joining the Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council, please contact Terry Harvey, Vice President for Cultural Diplomacy, at 202-939-5566 or tharvey@meridian.org.

By Invitation Only

Members of the Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council are leaders of major arts and cultural institutions or prominent cultural figures who work with the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy to:
Serve as Cultural Ambassadors of Meridian’s work and raise awareness of the importance and value of cultural diplomacy activities in the arts communities
Collaborate and build partnerships with cultural institutions and artists in the U.S. and abroad as it relates to the interest and availability of the member
Provide strategic guidance on programs and exhibitions, where appropriate
If available, participate in an annual meeting of the Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council in Washington, DC